An industry-led project to help small Australian manufacturers increase their use of digital technology and boost their productivity has received $250,000 in funding through the government’s Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC).

The new project will help 17 Australian small and medium businesses apply robotics, cyber-physical systems and automation to their manufacturing process, and increase their ability to compete on price and value.

The project is being led by South Australian-based engineering and design company Dematec Automation, which develops a suite of sensors and monitoring devices that can assist manufacturing companies to become more advanced in their industrial processes.

The $250,000 funding from AMGC, an industry-led organisation that drives innovation, productivity and competitiveness for Australian manufacturers, is matched by industry funding.

AMGC, along with with five other Growth Centres including Food and Agribusiness; Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals; Mining Equipment, Technology and Services; Oil, Gas and Energy Resources; and Cyber Security, is a part of an A$248-million initiative of the government’s Industry Growth Centres.

Minister for Jobs and Innovation, Michaelia Cash said the government is assisting Australian manufacturing businesses to adopt new technologies so they can innovate, expand and create jobs.

“The 2018 Budget includes initiatives that will help businesses such as Dematec Automation grow and create jobs,” minister Cash said.

“We’ve also extended funding for the current Industry Growth Centres by two years, enabling them to build on their initial success with Australian manufacturers,” she said.

“Funding in the Budget of $20 million will help Australian small to medium businesses to form local and regional business hubs so they can work together to access new export markets and global supply chains,” she added.

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